Baylor Handbook Series (13 vols.)
Overview
What distinguishes the Baylor Handbook Series from other available resources is the detailed and comprehensive attention paid to the original-language texts. Each book in this series explains the syntax of the biblical text, offers guidance for deciding between competing semantic analyses, and deals with text-critical questions that have a significant bearing on how the text is understood.
Rather than devote space to the type of theological and exegetical comments found in most commentaries, this series instead focuses on the Hebrew and Greek texts and their related issues, syntactic and otherwise. The volumes serve as prequels to commentary proper, providing guides to understanding the linguistic characteristics of the texts from which the messages of the texts may then be derived. This 13-part collection has volumes on Genesis, Ruth, Amos, Jonah, Malachi, Luke, Acts, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, James, 1 and 2 Peter, and 1–3 John. Accessible and succinct, these handbooks address questions that are frequently overlooked by standard commentaries, serving as essential reference tools for biblical study.
- Focuses on the Greek text of the New Testament
- Addresses text-critical questions
- Emphasizes the importance of understanding the grammar, syntax, and linguistic elements of the Greek language
- Title: Baylor Handbook Series
- Series: Baylor Handbook
- Publisher: Baylor University Press
- Volumes: 13
- Pages: 3,860
- Genesis 1–11: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text by Barry Bandstra
- Ruth: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text by Robert D. Holmstedt
- Amos: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text by Duane A. Garrett
- Jonah: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text by W. Dennis Tucker Jr.
- Malachi: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text by Terry W. Eddinger
- Luke: A Handbook on the Greek Text by Martin M. Culy, Mikeal C. Parsons, and Joshua J. Stigall
- Acts: A Handbook on the Greek Text by Martin M. Culy and Mikeal C. Parsons
- Ephesians: A Handbook on the Greek Text by William J. Larkin
- Colossians and Philemon: A Handbook on the Greek Text by Constantine R. Campbell
- James: A Handbook on the Greek Text by A. K. M. Adam
- I Peter: A Handbook on the Greek Text by Mark Dubis
- II Peter and Jude: A Handbook on the Greek Text by Peter H. Davids
- I, II, III John: A Handbook on the Greek Text by Martin M. Culy
Partially includedWith Logos, these resources are easier to use than ever. Scripture citations appear on mouseover in your preferred English translation. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Powerful topical searches help you find exactly what you’re looking for. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
In this linguistic commentary, author Barry Bandstra brings students of biblical Hebrew a non-traditional perspective on the first 11 chapters of Genesis. The approach is called functional grammar and brings clarity to verb forms, rare words, unusual syntactical constructions, and more.
Finally—a guide that introduces the principles of functional linguistics not in theory but in practice! Clear definitions and analytical instruments enable students of the Hebrew Bible to understand the construction of every clause, the cohesion in every textual unit, their interactive processes and communicative functions. The instructive and step-by-step analyses are simple and insightful, especially when some interpretative or evaluative elements are added. Thus guided by a knowledgeable and inspiring teacher, one feels challenged to employ these tools oneself.
—Ellen van Wolde, professor of Old Testament exegesis and Hebrew, Tilburg University, The Netherlands
Barry Bandstra has done students and scholars a great service by producing this groundbreaking linguistic commentary on the Masoretic text of Genesis 1–11. While traditional Hebrew grammar has excelled in its analysis of morphology and basic syntax, Bandstra brings discourse analysis and modern functional grammar to bear on our understanding of how the Hebrew text works at the clause and constituent level. As such, his approach helps all of us make some functional sense of the formal complexity of biblical Hebrew—especially its unwieldy verbal system.
—Tyler F. Williams, assistant professor of theology, The King’s University College
Barry Bandstra (PhD, Yale) is Hattie E. Blekkink Professor of Religion at Hope College.
Robert D. Holmstedt’s commentary on Ruth emphasizes the importance of understanding old and new grammatical and linguistic elements in the Hebrew text. He cites the latest scholarship throughout this study and addresses difficult topics surrounding the interpretation of the book of Ruth.
An up-to-date technical resource valuable for intermediate students. Holmstedt addresses a wide range of questions, with a strong focus on the connection between syntax and nuance of meaning.
—Katharine Doob Sakenfeld, William Albright Eisenberger Professor of Old Testament Literature and exegesis, Princeton Theological Seminary
Designed for the intermediate student to the advanced researcher, Holmstedt’s Ruth is a wonderful paragon of an informed merging of traditional Hebrew grammatical analysis with insights from the modern linguistic analysis of Hebrew. With conciseness and clarity, Holmstedt demonstrates the great value of a linguistically informed analysis of biblical Hebrew, not only for the book of Ruth, but for the biblical texts in general.
—K. Lawson Younger Jr., professor of Old Testament, Semitic languages, and ancient Near Eastern history, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
An excellent linguistic pathway through Ruth. Students will find his systematic approach and his inclusion of pedagogic aids very helpful, and scholars will appreciate the breadth of his textual comments that make this much more than just a syntactical handbook or guide to grammatical forms.
—Victor H. Matthews, dean, College of Humanities and Public Affairs, Missouri State University
Robert D. Holmstedt is associate professor in the department of Near and Middle Eastern civilizations at the University of Toronto, where he teaches ancient Hebrew and Northwest Semitic languages.
In Amos Duane A. Garrett puts aside the study of contextual, theological matters normally touched upon in commentaries, and solely focuses on the written text. He brings a carefully learned grammatical analysis to this study and illustrates the meaning of the text through grammar study.
Professor Garrett has given us yet another carefully researched and insightfully analyzed text. His attention to detail at the syntactical and discourse levels is consistently thorough throughout. His interpretive assessments are cautious and judicious.
—Timothy S. Laniak, professor of Old Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Students who have passed a good introductory/intermediate level course of biblical Hebrew will find this volume helpful to advance their knowledge of the language. Instructors who teach a regular or a directed studies course on the book of Amos should consider adopting this book as their textbook.
—Ehud Ben Zvi, professor, department of history and classics, University of Alberta
Garrett’s handbook has much to offer, both in terms of providing students of the text with valuable help regarding matters of Hebrew syntax and discourse, and in making a noteworthy contribution to the exegesis of the book of Amos.
—Journal of Hebrew Scriptures
Duane A. Garrett (PhD, Baylor University) is John R. Sampey Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author and editor of nine books, including, most recently, Archaeological Study Bible: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture, Word Biblical Commentary: Song of Songs, and A Modern Grammar for Classical Hebrew.
Jonah: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text takes the study of the grammar of this narrative to the next level. This volume addresses important questions and issues relating to Hebrew syntax in Jonah and provides clarity to the student or pastor seeking to better understand how to interpret the biblical text.
In the crowded genre of biblical commentaries, this series will surely find a niche among students and pastors who need more lexical, morphological, and syntactical help than most commentaries today offer. Tucker’s volume reflects a remarkable amount of erudition and hard work, and the appearance of his volume bodes well for the series.
—Bill T. Arnold, Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, Asbury Theological Seminary
Dennis Tucker (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate dean and associate professor of Christian Scriptures for George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, Waco, Texas.
In Malachi: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text, Terry Eddinger provides a practical guide for students and teachers working through the Hebrew text of Malachi. Eddinger addresses the grammatical and syntactical issues within the final book of the Minor Prophets, while drawing out the larger narrative of the text through analysis of how words and phrases function in larger clauses and paragraphs. Taking the work of translation and interpretation one step further, Malachi follows the poetic prose of the book’s catechetical dialogue in order to provide greater understanding of the prophet’s specific literary structure. Including chapter-specific keywords and an exhaustive linguistic glossary, Eddinger provides a valuable resource for all to better capture the meaning inherent in this underutilized book.
Terry Eddinger has provided a helpful tool for students translating Hebrew prophetic texts for the first time.
—James D. Nogalski, professor and director of Graduate Studies in Religion, Baylor University
Malachi is a useful guide to pastors and others who perhaps do not want to attempt translating Malachi for themselves but would like to glean helpful insights into the Hebrew text for preaching and writing.
—Paul L. Redditt, senior lecturer in Old Testament, Baptist Seminary of Kentucky
Terry W. Eddinger is the Benjamin Miller Professor of Old Testament at the Carolina Graduate School of Divinity. He is a regular contributor to the Biblical Theology Bulletin.
This volume provides students with a comprehensive guide through the Greek text of the Gospel of Luke. Together Culy, Parsons, and Stigall explain the text’s critical, lexical, grammatical, and linguistic aspects while revealing its carefully crafted narrative style. In all, they show the author of Luke to be a master communicator, well at home within the Greek biographical tradition.
This handbook offers ample discussion of almost every translational possibility without the overwhelming technical jargon. An excellent tool for anyone seeking greater familiarity with the Greek New Testament.
—C. Kavin Rowe, assistant professor of New Testament, Duke Divinity School
Loaded with useful information, this book is a solid walk through the grammatical elements of the Gospel of Luke. Never let it leave your side.
—Darrell Bock, research professor of New Testament studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
Those teaching Greek exegesis of this gospel will find in its careful attention to grammatical detail a valuable tool for themselves and their students.
—Craig S. Keener, professor of New Testament, Palmer Theological Seminary
An unparalleled guide to the nuanced meanings of Luke’s carefully crafted Greek text. This is a teacher’s dream come true.
—David P. Moessner, professor of biblical theology, University of Dubuque/Associate University of Pretoria
Martin M. Culy is associate professor of New Testament and Greek at Briercrest College and Seminary. His previous books in the BHGNT series include I, II, III John and Acts. He is also the author of Echoes of Friendship in the Gospel of John.
Mikeal C. Parsons is the Kidd L. and Buna Hitchcock Macon Chair in Religion at Baylor University. He has published extensively on Luke and Acts including his most recent The Acts of the Apostles: Four Centuries of Baptist Interpretation.
Joshua J. Stigall is a PhD candidate in religion at Baylor University.
While the commentary tradition has, with some notable exceptions, shifted away from philology to take up questions of the social values, rhetorical conventions, and narrative strategies, this volume provides the textual, philological, and grammatical background essential to any act of interpretation. By working through this text systematically, readers will not only gain a firmer grasp on the peculiar shape of Acts’ grammar, but given Acts’ length and complexity, they will also become better equipped to approach the other New Testament documents with increased confidence.
Teachers and students of the Greek New Testament have long lacked resources for book-by-book lexical, grammatical, and textual analysis. The book of Acts benefits especially from Parsons’ and Culy’s thorough, careful, exhaustive treatment of the book’s syntax and vocabulary. Their work instantly moves to the front rank of necessary reference books for all readers of Acts; it will contribute tremendously to the thoughtful interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles in the Church as well as the Academy.
—A. K. M. Adam, associate professor of New Testament, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary
What pastors and students need today are tools to facilitate rapid reading and study of the Greek text, tools that at the same time keep a person in touch with issues of basic grammar and syntax. This simple but helpful volume fits the bill.
—George H. Guthrie, Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible, Union University
Martin M. Culy is associate professor of New Testament and Greek at Briercrest College and Seminary. His previous books in the BHGNT series include I, II, III John and Luke. He is also the author of Echoes of Friendship in the Gospel of John.
Mikeal C. Parsons is the Kidd L. and Buna Hitchcock Macon Chair in Religion at Baylor University. He has published extensively on Luke and Acts including his most recent The Acts of the Apostles: Four Centuries of Baptist Interpretation.
In this volume, William Larkin provides students with a reliable guide through the intricacies of the Greek text of Ephesians, introducing them to consensus views on matters of syntax, semantics, and textual criticism. In addition, the annotations contain references to current debates relating to the language of Ephesians. Larkin’s annotations demonstrate that linguistically informed analyses which have appeared in the last couple of decades frequently shed light on old questions.
An excellent work, fully informed by semantic, grammatical, and commentary discussion of Ephesians that continues the high quality of this series.
—Peter H. Davids, professor of biblical theology, St. Stephen’s University
This book is a worthy addition to the BHGNT series . . . The grammatical analysis is comprehensive and informed by contemporary linguistic studies. The literary structure of Ephesians is not neglected, and textual issues are given some attention where deemed necessary.
—Jonathan Kearney, Journal for the Study of the New Testament (2011, 33:5)
A welcome addition to Baylor’s fine series of handbooks. Linguistically informed and exegetically oriented, Larkin has provided an excellent resource for students, professors, and exegetes.
—Karen H. Jobes, Gerald F. Hawthorne Professor of New Testament Greek and Exegesis, Wheaton College and Graduate School
William J. Larkin (PhD University of Durham) is professor of New Testament and Greek, Columbia International University, Seminary and School of Missions. He is the author or editor of five books, including most recently Greek Is Great Gain: A Method for Exegesis and Exposition, Culture and Biblical Hermeneutics: Interpreting and Applying the Authoritative Word in a Relativistic Age, and two commentaries on Acts: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary and IVPNTC.
Colossians and Philemon delivers to students and teachers an exhaustive and thoughtful translation of the Greek in these two Pauline texts. Constantine R. Campbell reveals the lexical, syntactic, and grammatical features of these New Testament epistles in order to provide a guide through Paul’s words for readers with an intermediate knowledge of biblical Greek. The result is a comprehensive study of Pauline Greek that can be used alongside commentaries to better understand the world of the apostle.
This concisely written handbook is rich with semantic and grammatical insights that will prove very helpful to pastors and teachers who are serious about reading the Greek New Testament carefully and accurately. Readers will also find Campbell’s rigorous and sustained application of verbal aspect theory enlightening for understanding how this contributes to a proper interpretation of the verbal elements in the text.
—Clinton E. Arnold, dean and professor of New Testament, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
Constantine R. Campbell is an associate professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author of several books, including most recently Paul and Union with Christ: An Exegetical and Theological Study.
A. K. M. Adam provides a guide through the Greek text of the epistle of James. This handbook highlights the linguistic, rhetorical, and stylistic features of James, utilizing the Greek text to lead discussion on many of the theological questions raised by the letter. Adam expertly unveils the letter’s excellent use of Hellenistic Greek balanced with noticeable Jewish patterns of thought. Students and teachers will find James a helpful tool in navigating this centuries-old piece of New Testament literature.
. . . a rich and useful companion for students pressing forward toward mastery of the language. Here they will discover a wise selection of comments regarding grammar, word usage, textual criticism, theological interpretation, and more, all delivered with tasteful economy.
—Joseph R. Dongell, professor of biblical studies, Asbury Theological Seminary
Baylor’s handbooks are indispensable resources for students wrestling with interpreting the Greek text of the New Testament. This handbook on James adds to that wealth by dissecting the grammar of the homiletic epistle at an intermediate level. Adam’s knowledge of Greek and clarity of explanation make this a useful companion to anyone who might wish to deepen their understanding of the language of the epistle of James.
—Margaret Aymer, associate professor of New Testament, The Interdenominational Theological Center
Adam guides readers through the Greek text of James with genuine insight. He refuses to impose judgments regarding the epistle’s setting within early Christianity—a choice that renders this work all the more valuable.
—Greg Carey, professor of New Testament, Lancaster Theological Seminary, and author of Sinners: Jesus and His Earliest Followers
A. K. M. Adam is a lecturer in New Testament studies at the University of Glasgow. He is the author of numerous books including Reading Scripture with the Church, Postmodern Interpretations of the Bible and Making Sense of New Testament Theology. Adam’s influence spans many topics and audiences as a priest, technologist, blogger, and activist.
In his analysis of the Greek text of 1 Peter, Mark Dubis provides students with an accessible guide through some of the most difficult syntactic challenges of the Greek language. Introducing readers to the most recent developments in grammatical and linguistic scholarship, Dubis includes an overview of Greek word order and the construction of middle voice. In doing so, Dubis helps students internalize the conventions of the Greek language while crafting in students a maturing appetite for future study.
For 40 years we have been in need of an up-to-date analysis of the grammar and syntax of 1 Peter, and Dubis provides just that. Seminary students will rise up and call this book blessed for a generation. In addition, there’s a rich and surprising interpretive history that is unfolded in this slim, packed volume.
—Scot McKnight, Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies, North Park University
This handbook on 1 Peter deserves comparison with the best of the recent commentaries on that epistle. Mark Dubis has provided students with the tools for evaluating and comparing the exegetical commentaries on which they must rely and will keep commentators honest by reminding them, line by line, of the actual wording and structure of the text.
—Ramsey Michaels, professor emeritus of religious studies, Southwest Missouri State University
Mark Dubis is professor of biblical studies, School of Theology and Missions at Union University.
This volume gives teachers and students a comprehensive guide to the grammar and vocabulary of both 2 Peter and Jude. Within the text of these intertwined Catholic Epistles, Peter H. Davids finds rhetorical features and stylistic elements often overlooked. By using this handbook in combination with traditional commentaries, students will be guided toward a greater understanding of the Greek text in 2 Peter and Jude while gaining a deeper appreciation for textual and rhetorical intricacies not available in the English translations.
Davids provides an expert exegetical travel guide for those rediscovering these neglected gems in the canon.
—Gene L. Green, professor of New Testament, Wheaton College and Graduate School
This astute and useful grammatical handbook goes beyond simply parsing forms and labeling constructions. Davids brings in some of the latest linguistic research—including elements of verbal aspect theory—to help him as he explicates these important epistles.
—Stanley E. Porter, president and dean, professor of New Testament, McMaster Divinity College
Peter H. Davids is visiting professor in Christianity at Houston Baptist University. He is the author of The Letters of 2 Peter and Jude.
In this volume, Martin Culy provides a basic lexical, analytical, and syntactical analysis of the Greek text of 1, 2, and 3 John—information often presumed by technical commentaries and omitted by popular ones. But more than just an analytic key, I, II, III John reflects the latest advances in scholarship on Greek grammar and linguistics. The volume also contains recommendations for further reading and an up-to-date bibliography. A perfect supplement to any commentary, I, II, and III John is as equally helpful to language students, of any level, as it is to busy clergy who use the Greek text in preparation for proclamation.
This handbook continues the admirable pattern of applied scholarship displayed in the Acts volume by providing real help for the student, pastor or scholar who wants to make sense of the Greek text of the Johannine epistles. The author’s linguistic training as evidenced in his approach to semantics, syntax, and structural features leads to a volume providing information that is simply unavailable in the standard ‘commentaries.’ Readers will then be better prepared to use those commentaries and to make wise exegetical choices. This volume is miles beyond any ‘analytical lexicon’ that you may have on your shelf. I heartily recommend this volume and anticipate any future ‘handbooks’ that are developed along this model.
—William Varner, Master’s College, Santa Clarita, CA
Martin Culy (PhD, Baylor) is associate professor of New Testament at Briercrest Biblical Seminary. Culy earned an MA in Linguistics from the University of North Dakota, the MDiv from Grace Theological Seminary, and the PhD from Baylor University.
Reviews
1 rating
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John Mathew Bachan
11/19/2019
Good series. But unfortunately many volumes are missing in logos. Print versions are available
Charles
9/28/2017
Kevin M. Shaw
8/17/2015
Does anyone know when Genesis 37-50, Esther, Mark 1-8, Mark 9-16, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, and Revelation will be made available on Logos? I can't wait!!!!!!!
